Fox News ridiculed for banner '3 Mexican countries'

Social media users were quick to seize on the embarrassing error.

Fox News has been ridiculed after a banner relating to Donald Trump's slashing of funding to Central American countries referred to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as "three Mexican countries".

The US network has since apologised for the headline featured on a Sunday Fox & Friends segment about President Trump's controversial plan to cut aid - saving the country more than US$500 million.

Despite only being on screen for less than a minute, social media users were quick to seize on the embarrassing error.

How Stupid Is @foxandfriends?

'Trump Cuts U.S. Aid To 3 Mexican Countries'

🤦‍♀️ @edhenry @PeteHegseth pic.twitter.com/taJwXhjEt8

— Bad Fox Graphics (@BadFoxGraphics) March 31, 2019

A screenshot of the headline was quickly picked up by other journalists and politicians.

Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted: "Just a reminder that these are the same folks who assert their superiority by belittling the intelligence and good faith of others."

“3 Mexican Countries.”

Just a reminder that these are the same folks who assert their superiority by belittling the intelligence and good faith of others.https://t.co/7JA1kCdIoS pic.twitter.com/CwINMXAarO

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2019

CNN's chief media correspondent Brian Stetler shared a photo of the graphic with the caption: "This is an actual banner from Fox & Friends Weekend. 6:03am today. I double checked because I didn't believe it at first."

This is an actual banner from "Fox & Friends Weekend." 6:03am today. I double checked because I didn't believe it at first. Hat tip @BadFoxGraphics pic.twitter.com/tTNH0Y7a25

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 31, 2019

Florida radio host Grant Stern tweeted: "Is Fox News staffed by fourth graders?"

Edward Isaac Dovere, a staff writer for the Atlantic, tweeted: "So many Mexican countries to choose from."

Actor Ron Perlman wrote: "I guess we should thank God it's only three Mexican countries. Amd not all of them. (sic)"

I guess we should thank God it’s only three Mexican countries. Amd not all of them. https://t.co/eG35Zq9Jm8

— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) March 31, 2019

Fox & Friends later issued an on-air correction and apology, making it clear that the network is aware that there is only one "Mexican country" - Mexico.

"Now we want to clarify and correct something that happened earlier in the show," co-host Ed Henry said. "We had an inaccurate graphic on screen while talking about this very story.

First official portrait of leaders of 3 Mexican countries released. pic.twitter.com/eZAXskBrqC

— Rani Majumder (@RaniMajumder) March 31, 2019

"We just want to be clear, the funding is being cut off to the three Central American countries. We apologise for the error. It never should have happened."

Buenos dias from one of the "3 Mexican countries" guess which one. pic.twitter.com/R08lkP1IyQ

— KND (@KNDmex) March 31, 2019

This is probably @foxandfriends's map for Latin America #Fox #Mexico #LatinAmerica #Fail #3MexicanCountries pic.twitter.com/05T2qUK2rk

— Pedro CC (@pedro_cc90) March 31, 2019